Happy Birthday RaFa!
By DISHA MASHELKAR
It’s been a happy and glorious 29th
birthday for Rafael Nadal who is popular as the “King of
Clay” for his spectacular performance on clay court. Born on 3rd June 1986, 6
feet 1 inch tall ‘Rafa’ is also known for his style statements (his stylish
capri pants and matching bandara on his forehead) which has captured the
eyeballs of world over Tennis fans. His peculiar style of biting the trophy he
has won covered the Sports pages of the newspapers time and again.
Nadal’s coach, his uncle Toni Nadal
trained him for the sport of Tennis when he was just 3 years old. Nadal carries
an equal passion for Tennis as well as for Football. Probably the passion for
Football descends down in his blood from his another Uncle Miguel Angel Nadal,
who is a retired professional footballer. Uncle Miguel had represented his
Spanish National Team and had played also for popular club FC Barcelona. Rafael
Nadal is ambidextrous although he is a left-handed player on court.
Apart from dreaming of a ‘Career’ and
‘Golden Slam’, every tennis player dreams to win the prestigious Wimbledon
Title in London which is one of the most prestigious Grand Slams in Tennis out
of the four (French Open, Wimbledon, Australian Open and US Open). Rafael Nadal
had his dream come true when he defeated the most earnest and unfaltering
player-Roger Federer in the year 2008. In terms of time, this was believed to
be the longest match of Wimbledon final on court; where in between the showers
of rain which tried to stop the match Nadal won the fifth set and rose to
victory! The year 2008 was special to him for yet another reason. He won his
first Olympic Gold medal by defeating Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in the Beijing
Olympic 2008.
Nadal had won his first French Open
title when he was just 19 years old. Records speaks that this is a feat not accomplished
in Paris for more than 20 years. Injuries are the biggest enemies of any
sportspersons. Just like how a fast bowler in the game of Cricket is advised to
take precautions as they are bound to shoulder injuries, Rafael Nadal has also
gone through that tough time. Sometimes it was knee injury while at times it
was wrist injury.
But he has sailed healthy as he faces
today the world no.1 Novac Djokovic at the Rolland Garros, all the RAFA fans
are hoping and praying for his victory to reach the semi-finals and then the
finals and emerge victorious as the 10th time Champion on the clay
court.
Wishing Rafa a very happy birthday and
may his birthday be more wonderful as the ‘King of Clay’ walks on the clay
court today with an aim to reach the acme of Clay Court!
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